Ischemic peripheral arterial disease: A screening survey

Background: This study aims to establish the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Izmir as reported by the family physicians and cardiovascular surgeons within the support of Turkish Society of Vascular Surgery and to contribute to constitute a national database. Methods: Between January 2009 and October 2010, this prospective, cross-sectional and observational study was performed over a total period of nine months, including the first six months of study for screening the cases and for data collection and statistical analysis in the last three months. A total of 1423 subjects (419 males, 1004 females; mean age 61.2 +/- 11.8 years; range 40 to 93 years) were included. The patients at the age of >40 were recruited in our questionnaire form, questioning of risk factors after the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured. In the patient group recruited following statistical analysis, the frequency of risk factors and PAD were determined. Results: The prevalence of PAD in the overall population was found to be 19.76%. The prevalence was 8.27% for those with ABI <= 0.90 and 11.49% for those with ABI >= 1.30. The prevalence of PAD was 17.20% for women and 25.88% for men. The incidence of PAD increased with age. The risk factors for PAH were associated with male gender with a-1.68 fold increase. The incidence increased 2.4 folds at the age of <65, while it increased 4 folds at the age of >65. The incidence also increased 1.85 folds in the patients with cerebrovascular disease, 2.30 folds in those with renal disease and 1.68 folds in those with cardiovascular disease in the family history. Total cholesterol and LDL-C levels were higher in women, HDL-C levels were higher in women and those at the age of >85, and triglyceride levels were higher in the 40-64 age group. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Understanding modified risk factors and taking preventive measures may have a significant effect on morbidity and mortality in the long-term. Noninvasive ABI measurement, an easy-to-use method, is recommended for early diagnosis and thus early precautions by the family physicians in the primary care setting.